Detroit Tigers: The teams with the prospect/trade capital to acquire Michael Fulmer

Detroit Tigers fans could conceivably see Michael Fulmer traded this winter. Though it seems unlikely for numerous reasons, it’s possible all the same. These teams have the trade capital to acquire Fulmer.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer is arguably the team’s best trade chip

In an offseason in which players like second baseman Ian Kinsler, shortstop Jose Iglesias, closer Shane Greene and reliever Alex Wilson could conceivably be dealt, Fulmer stands out.

Not only does the hurler come with five years of controllability left, according to Spotrac, but he’s already racked up a 6.5 fWAR in first two seasons as a professional.

If Detroit moves him, the team should be in line for a significant haul of players and prospects.

This isn’t saying Fulmer will be traded.

One, he’s spending the offseason recovering from an injury and subsequent surgery that cost him the end of the 2017 season.

Two, keeping him ensures a quicker turnaround for the Tigers. A Fulmer-Franklin Perez tandem as early as July would give Detroit one of the best building-block pairings in the league. Things look even better if Daniel Norris and Matthew Boyd can turn things around.

From there, the nucleus would expand to include the likes of Jeimer Candelario, Christin Stewart, Mike Gerber, Joe Jimenez, Jairo Labourt, Nicholas Castellanos and James McCann.

If all those players can take steps forward in the next season, things could be on the upswing sooner than many thought.

Still, if Fulmer is dealt, there aren’t going to be many teams that can match what should be a sky-high asking price.

Here’s a look at the teams that have the draft capital to hypothetically acquire Fulmer.